The Equality Commission has confirmed it is to carry out an investigation following a decision by the Department of Communities to withdraw funding from an Irish language bursary scheme.

Around £50,000 funding was withdrawn from the Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme, which offers Irish language scholarships to young people, however it has now been reversed.

DUP MLA Paul given was Communities Minister at the time.

A report will be issued when the investigation has been concluded.

Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney said: "The scrapping of the Líofa scheme was an appalling decision and contributed significantly towards the collapse of power-sharing as it was widely seen within the nationalist community as a blatant sectarian and cynical act.

"Similarly, the operation of the £1.9m Community Halls scheme has raised widespread public concern, given that the vast majority of the beneficiaries were from the unionist tradition.

"I have previously addressed this matter and pointed at real concerns which exist regarding the practice of institutionalised bigotry directing public policy and disbursal of public funds.

"There needs to be integrity in government.

"The public needs to have confidence that public money is allocated fairly and on the basis of need not creed.

"It is essential that public policy and the direction of funds and resources are based upon objective need criteria. This investigation is a very important process to ensure transparency and accountability are brought to bear on how these decisions have been made."

31 January 2018
Other News In Brief
Concerns Raised Over Chair Of The Arts Council Concerns have been raised following reports the Chair of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland did not enjoy the full confidence of his board.

15 February 2018
Sinn Fein To Meet With Irish And UK Governments After Talks Fail
Sinn Fein is to meet with both the Irish and UK governments today, 15 February, after DUP leader Arlene Foster confirmed talks to restore power-sharing in NI had failed. Northern Ireland has been without an Executive since January 2017. Mr Foster said there was "no current prospect" of a deal.

08 February 2018
Investigation Launched Following Explosion In West Belfast
Police have launched an investigation following reports of a small explosion at a house in west Belfast. The incident happened in the Creeslough Court area of Lenadoon just after 8pm on Wednesday, 07 February. No injuries were reported and the investigation is ongoing. Sinn Fein Councillor Arder Carson condemned the attack.

06 February 2018
Gerry Kelly Regrets Decision To Remove Clamp From His Car In Belfast
Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly has said he regrets his decision to remove a clamp from his car as he was leaving a gym in Belfast. Mr Kelly was reported over alleged criminal damage after footage on social media appeared to show him using bolt cutters to remove a wheel clamp in the Cathedral Quarter area on Friday, 02 February.

01 February 2018
Investigation Launched Following Sudden Death In L'Derry
Police have launched an investigation following the sudden death of a man in Co L'Derry. The 56-year-old was found injured in the communal stairway of an apartment block in Iniscarn Crescent on Monday, 29 January. He was taken to hospital to be treated, however he died from his injuries.

16 February 2018
Draft Deal Agreed Before Talks Collapsed - Sinn Fein
Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald said a draft agreement was made last week to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland. She confirmed that the DUP and Sinn Féin leaderships had achieved an accommodation across the issues involved.

02 February 2018
Other News In Brief
Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Coleraine Magistrates Court. Donna Quigg claimed Job Seeker's Allowance totalling £7,855 while failing to declare employment. She was given a six-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

16 February 2012
Minister Announces Start Of £400,000 Public Realm Scheme
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced that work is due to start on a £400,000 Public Realm scheme in Londonderry. The appointed contractor, Whitemountain, is due to begin work on Queens Quay later this month.

18 January 2011
Political Donors' Identities Remain Protected
The individuals and companies behind party political donations in NI are to remain 'secret'. The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said on Monday that the deteriorating security situation meant donors still needed to be protected.

23 November 2004
Spellar calls for views on licensing laws in NI
Any changes to the licensing laws in Northern Ireland will aim to strike a balance between facilitating the sale of alcohol, public safety and the public interest. This is according to Minister for Social Development, John Spellar who was speaking last night at the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade’s annual ball at the Europa Hotel.

01 December 2003
Public services need greater accountability
A wide-ranging survey of views on public services in Northern Ireland has revealed that the general public believes that there needs to be greater accountability in the current system. The findings were included in a research report published today by the Review of Public Administration (RPA).

01 December 2011
Irish Language 'Special Needs' In Focus
There has been high-level encouragement for continuing work on teaching special needs in the Irish medium. At a conference on special educational needs this week, partnerships across all sectors were hailed as being central to meeting the needs of all children with special needs.

14 March 2013
Low Paid Staff In Education Sector To Receive £250
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has made funding available to allow payments of £250 to be made to low paid staff in the education sector. The payments, for staff earning less than £21,000 a year, reflected the decision across the public sector to provide additional payments to low paid staff at a time when a pay freeze was effective.

Northern Ireland Weather

Today:

A cloudy day across all parts although Antrim and County Down will stay dry for much of this morning. Patchy light rain and drizzle along with misty, murky conditions will extend eastwards this morning, affecting all parts this afternoon. Maximum temperature 9 °C.

Tonight:

Cloudy, damp night with patchy light rain and drizzle gradually dying out. It will be a very mild night with light winds. Minimum temperature 6 °C.